He said everyone knows that the AIC has a formal coalition with the African National Congress (ANC) at a national level.

But at a provincial or local level, we vote with whichever party that we prefer to vote with, based on issues that our constituencies need as well.

— Aubrey Mhlongo, AIC spokesperson

He added that what happened at Nelson Mandela Bay was that their councillor has been pleading with the mayor saying there were many things in his ward that the constituency in that ward needs to be fixed in order for him to give the mayor his support.

So the mayor was always promising that he was going to look into those issues that our councillor is raising in that particular municipality, but up until the last day, he hasn't come aboard.